Chapter 4.6 - The Biota of Intermittent and Ephemeral Rivers: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals

Abstract

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), by alternating flowing and dry phases, are coupled aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems hosting unique combinations of amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species (hereafter, wildlife) across different world regions. IRES are valuable ecosystems for wildlife providing essential ecological functions during both wet and dry phases. Concurrently, wildlife exerts direct and indirect biotic control of the structure (biodiversity and physical modification) and function (nutrient cycling and connectivity) of IRES, playing important ecological roles. Although flow intermittence has direct and indirect effects on the presence, abundance, and/or activity of vertebrate species, different adaptations allow them to cope with flow intermittence. Many anthropogenic activities (e.g., flow alteration, habitat degradation, water pollution) combined with the spread of invasive species, emerging diseases, and climate change threaten the local habitats and biological diversity of wildlife in IRES. Proper IRES management should involve a better knowledge of species’ flow requirements, as well as the preservation or restoration of natural flow regimes that ensure the functions of both aquatic and terrestrial ecological refuges.